Afghan Boy Sneaks in Plane Landing Gear to Reach Delhi

A 13-year-old Afghan boy was discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday after stowing away in the landing gear compartment of a KAM Airlines flight from Kabul. The boy, a native of Kunduz city, was found shortly after flight RQ-4401 landed around 11:00 AM following a two-hour journey. Authorities promptly repatriated him to Afghanistan on the same flight, which departed at 12:30 PM.

The incident unfolded when airline personnel noticed the teenager near the aircraft after it touched down. He was apprehended and handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Terminal 3 for questioning. The boy admitted to sneaking into Kabul’s airport and entering the plane’s rear central landing gear compartment, driven by what he described as "curiosity". A small red speaker, believed to belong to him, was found during a security check of the compartment.

Following a thorough inspection and anti-sabotage checks, the aircraft was declared safe. The boy’s repatriation was swift, with KAM Airlines coordinating with authorities to ensure his safe return. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in airport security, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Kabul, where vulnerabilities can be exploited.

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Such stowaway incidents are rare but dangerous due to the extreme conditions in landing gear compartments, including low oxygen and freezing temperatures. The event underscores the need for enhanced security measures at airports to prevent unauthorised access. Indian and Afghan authorities have not released further details about the boy’s identity or motives, and the investigation is ongoing.

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